Conversation · Evrart Claire

"I'm reconsidering opening that door you asked me to open. Perhaps it will help me somehow..."

"I met Joyce, the company representative."

"I opened the door you asked me. Can we discuss the murder now?"

"I've just finished investigating the local drug trade."

"Ah yes, your side-investigation! Thank you." He adjusts his glasses. "You've got some spirit, clearing up phony drug accusations alongside this murder. I'll talk to the mayor and see if I can get you the key to the city, Harry. Now let's talk real business."

Actually, Revachol doesn't have a mayor...

He refuses to discuss it further. It's probably just a small nuisance to him.

Not even a speck of anger in his voice. That's that then.

"You've got a lotta spirit, clearing up the drug problem alongside this murder." He adjusts his glasses. "I'll talk to the mayor and see if I can get you the key to the city, Harry. Now let's talk real business."

"Do you know there's a mega rich light-bending guy inside one of the containers outside?"

"Mega rich light-bending guy? Oh my god! How did that get in there?"

"Slime like him? Must've oozed in through the cracks."

"Damn it to hell, Harry!" He slams his fist on the table. "I specifically told my guys to check all the containers for mega rich light-bending guys."

"Nothing can stop an innovative mind."

"Honestly, Harry, we might be moving a spot of drugs through this harbour, but I won't be caught transporting the light-bending mega-rich." He shakes his head. "I have a reputation to protect."

"Yes, the transportation of the mega rich should be more tightly regulated. Didn't seem like he was safe."

"You're a fucking idiot, Harry. I love it! Thank you for sharing this deep, idiotic part of yourself with me. A hallucinating market liberal. I love it. So poetic."

He bursts out laughing. "I shudder to think what you're going to tell me next, Harry."

Not for one second did he believe there's an actual mega rich person somewhere in his containertown.

"Yes, for god's sake, you're a socialist."

"You're right, Harry. I am a socialist." His face turns serious. "I'm going to catch the mega rich guy inside the container and harvest his energy to power the harbour's fog lights."

"You should be honoured by the presence of this magus. He was of half-Revacholian blood and amassed his wealth using the mysterious bond of nationhood."

"Harry, it's beginning to dawn on me that you're a real fascist. A mega-fascist who imagines mega rich light-bending fascists. I love it! Thank you for sharing this facet of yourself with me."

"The mega rich are people too. He was a nice man. Gave me stock tips."

"No, they're not." He smiles brightly. "They're vermin and one just found a way inside my container. Soon he'll bring the others. All three of them. Thank you for telling me. I'll see to this immediately."

"Kim, tell him he was there."

"There was a guy in the container," the lieutenant says slowly. "But he didn't bend any light. That was in the detective's head."

"Honestly, guys, we might be moving a spot of drugs through this harbour, but I won't be caught transporting the light-bending mega-rich." He shakes his head. "I have a reputation to protect."

"You know, some of him may have been a figment of my imagination."

"I think he wants to take down the proletariat, Evrart."

"He must have been in the container when someone accidentally closed the door."

"I don't know how he got in there."

"He's so rich he could get in anywhere."

"Mr. Du Bois, every worker..." He looks around, searching for something in his room. "To hell with it... Every worker is white! Now, what can I do for you today?"

"Mr. Du Bois! Every worker is a god, right?" He chuckles. "What can I do for you today?"

"Mr. Du Bois! Every worker -- member of the board!" He smiles merrily. "How can I help you today?"

"Mr. Du Bois, a pleasure as always." He grins as if nothing in the world bothers him.

Oh, I bet he's still fuming internally due to your no-sitting escapades. He doesn't like to lose a battle of will.

"Mr. Du Bois, a pleasure as always -- you don't have to sit down this time, since you've already sat on that chair."

"Mr. Du Bois! I hope time is on your side this time... Please, take a seat!" He smiles broadly, apparently unconcerned about the breakdown that interrupted your last conversation.

"Mr. Du Bois! I hope time is on your side this time... Please, take a seat!" He gestures to the miniscule folding chair opposite his huge desk.

"I'd rather stand."

"Please, Mr. Du Bois, let us converse in a civilized manner, as equals. Take a seat -- I insist."

He's trying to throw you off your game, thinking you don't know your name -- but you do! So the joke's on him, ha ha!

"First, you can call me Harry, because that's my name."

"Excellent, Harry." The smile widens. "Of course, that's your name. What else could it be? Now, please, have a seat."

He's playing it cool, but he knows his ploy didn't work.

"Actually I was just leaving." [Leave.]

"Have a good day, Mr. Du Bois, I'm sure I'll be seeing you around." He waves and returns to typing.

Take a seat.

"Excellent, Mr. Du Bois, I can see that you're a reasonable man, and reasonable men... Reasonable men can be of great use to one other." He gives you a sly wink.

Damn, this chair is uncomfortable...

"So tell me, how can the head of the Débardeurs' Union help a representative of the Revachol Citizens Militia today?"

"Oh, by the way, I heard you got a rather rude reception from a certain... Lawrence Garte. Some people have no manners, it pains me to say."

"This should take care of that nonsense." He points to a giant novelty cheque on his desk -- it's absolutely, comically huge.

"It should be sufficient to cover your expenses for a few days and patch over your differences with the cafeteria manager. Go ahead, take it." He points at it again.

Wow, that's 25 reál! That's good money. You need it.

Yes, but you'll owe him for it.

"Wait, you know Garte?"

"Yes, I know Lawrence. He's a real character -- no Union man in him. A real piece of work, that boy is."